Can't Lose Weight? Check Your Hormones and Your Eating Habits

Oprah Winfrey says she suffered from this common imbalance for years. Suzanne Somers publicly claims she battled this condition for more than a decade.

Medical authorities suggest there's hardly a woman who won't be affected by this condition at some point in her life.

The pervasive culprit? Hormone imbalance.

During one of her TV shows, Oprah lamented how she'd been "from one doctor to another" and was "tired of traditional doctors telling her that her hormones were within the 'normal range' and that she was fine" -- even though she knew something was wrong.

She now admits hormonal problems were at the root of her problems, which over the years, included sleeplessness, depression and weight gain.

Oprah is not alone in wanting to bring attention to the topic of hormonal imbalance. Unfortunately the misdiagnosis or medical mismanagement of hormonal concerns is a common complaint leveled by women the world over.

The reason for misdiagnosis lies in the lack of a clear understanding of exactly what hormones do to your body. Sex hormones, thyroid hormones, stress hormones - yes, each hormone has a function. But how do you accurately measure these mood behavior substances that stimulate our cells into action?

While naturopathic medicine has long suggested that hormone problems relate to diet issues, it's only recently that the traditional medical community is coming around to this way of thinking too. And for good reason.

Hormones Control Appetite and Stimulate Metabolism
Hormones are known to trigger our appetite and stimulate our metabolism. Which is why the quest to maintain a hormone balance can play a vital role for anyone trying to lose weight.

Our bodies are wired to send us signals when something isn't right, but often we're too busy to pay these receptors any attention. Until something in us seems out of control.

In truth, weight loss and wellness are next to impossible until a woman brings her hormones back into balance.

Do you have hormonal problems?Look at the following questions and answer Yes or No.

• I crave sugar, starch or salt


• I have difficulty losing weight even with diet and exercise


• I'm losing my hair


• I suffer PMS (breast tenderness, bloating, mood swings, etc.)


• I have difficulty falling or staying asleep.


• I have hypoglycemia or symptoms of blood sugar imbalance like shakiness, weakness or irritability


• I have hot flashes or night sweats


• My skin has lost its lustre or tone


• I have low libido


• I retain more water

Yes, these represent just a few of the more common symptoms. But if you answered yes to one or more of these questions, studies suggest that a possible hormonal imbalance is upsetting your metabolism and hindering your ability to lose weight.

How Well Do You Know Your Hormones?

1. You feel hungry because your body responds to a reduced caloric intake by releasing hormones that stimulate your appetite


2. Your level of thyroid hormone drops, causing your metabolism to slow


3. Your stress hormone level increases in response to the physical stress of skipping meals or reducing your carbohydrate intake


4. Your reproductive function slows because your sex hormones change due to insufficient calorie intake

For too long, the prevailing approach to conquering hormonal imbalance has been to treat the symptom with antidepressant drugs. As Dr. Natasha Turner, an authority on hormone and digestive concerns says, "that's like putting a broken arm in a sling without first resetting the bone."

It makes sense to fix the problem first.

And while diet and exercise are essential to our health, the solution to real fat loss success comes from us taking measures to balance our hormone levels - since these are the complex chemicals truly running the show.

Eat right and often, and at the right time, and you'll notice immediate improvements.